# Template 4 · "I Tested X" (40 seconds)

**Use it when:** there are several options and your viewer is tired of hype reviews.
**Best stage:** Product-aware (D), or Solution-aware (C) if you lead with the task. **Sells:** the follow ("I test so you don't have to") or a keyword for the full results.
**Why it works:** *effort proof* (you did the boring part) + *deadly sincerity* (you name the losers). In the breakout data, "I spent 100 hours…" did 8.4× and "I tested … on 15 real use cases" did 2.9×. The number of tests is the hook.

---

## The timing

| Time | Block | What you say | What's on screen |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3s | **Hook: the test** | "I tested [NUMBER] [TOOLS] on [ONE REAL TASK]. Only [N] survived." | Grid of logos, most getting crossed out |
| 3–7s | **Why you care** | "If you're about to pay for [CATEGORY], watch first." | Pricing pages flashing |
| 7–12s | **The rules** | "Same input. Same [TIME LIMIT]. I judged on [CRITERIA 1] and [CRITERIA 2]." | The test input on screen |
| 12–28s | **Results** | Fast verdicts, losers first: "[A]: [FLAW]. [B]: [FLAW]. [C]: [STRENGTH], but [CATCH]." | 3–4s per tool, output shown |
| 28–35s | **The winner + proof** | "[WINNER] — [SPECIFIC REASON]. And it's [PRICE]." | Winner's output, number big |
| 35–40s | **One CTA** | "Comment [KEYWORD] for the full scorecard." *(or follow line)* | Keyword |

**Word budget:** ~100–115 words.

---

## Fill-in script

> **[0–3s]** I tested [NUMBER] [TOOLS] on [TASK]. Only [N] survived.
> **[3–7s]** If you're about to pay for one, watch this first.
> **[7–12s]** Same [INPUT], same [LIMIT]. I judged [CRITERIA].
> **[12–28s]** [TOOL A]: [ONE-LINE VERDICT]. [TOOL B]: [VERDICT]. [TOOL C]: [VERDICT].
> **[28–35s]** The winner: [TOOL]. [REASON]. It costs [PRICE].
> **[35–40s]** Comment [KEYWORD] and I'll send you the full scorecard.

---

## Fully written example

*Topic: AI meeting note-takers on one real sales call. The verdicts below are **placeholders that show the shape**. Run your own test and say what you actually saw — that's the whole point of this format.*

| Time | Voice-over | On-screen text | Visual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3s | "I tested 5 AI note-takers on the same sales call. Two survived." | **5 tested. 2 survived.** | 5 logos, 3 get a red line |
| 3–7s | "If you're about to pay for one, watch this first." | **Before you pay** | Checkout pages |
| 7–12s | "Same 32-minute call. I judged two things: did it catch the next steps, and did it get the price right?" | **Next steps? Price right?** | Call recording waveform |
| 12–28s | "[TOOL A] missed the follow-up date. [TOOL B] invented a discount we never discussed. [TOOL C] was perfect — but only in English." | **❌ missed date ❌ invented discount ⚠️ English only** | Each tool's summary, error highlighted |
| 28–35s | "The winner caught all four next steps and the right price. Free plan covered it." | **4/4 next steps · $0** | Winner's summary, checkmarks |
| 35–40s | "Comment NOTES and I'll send you the full scorecard and my test call script." | **Comment NOTES** | Keyword |

**Word count:** 93 · **Length:** ~35–40s

*Never fake a test result. If a tool won, say so even if it's a competitor of something you like. That's what makes people follow a tester.*

---

## Mistakes that kill this format
- Testing on a toy task. Use a real one your viewer does.
- No criteria. "I liked this one" isn't a test.
- Burying the winner. Verdicts are fast; the winner gets the most time.
- Hiding the price. Say it.

---
Made by Dan Shipped — @danshipped